Aceh denounces ‘morally decadent’ sexual violence bill

Muhammad Ifdhal, Banda Aceh – Aceh Regional House of Representatives (DPRA) Commission VIII chairperson Ghufran Zainal Abidin says that Indonesia’s western-most province rejects the Draft Law on the Elimination of Sexual Violence (RUU PKS) which is currently being deliberated by the House of Representatives (DPR).

“This RUU must be rejected by broader society because it is potentially detrimental [to society] and is extremely dangerous for the Indonesian nation”, said Abidin in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh on Tuesday February 12.

Abidin made the statement in response to news that the DPR will enact the draft law in March. He explained the law conflicts with the state ideology of Pancasila and religion.

According to Abidin the law has the potential to open the way for permissive attitudes towards free sex and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) groups.

“Aceh as a province with special autonomy to apply syariat Islam [Islamic law] must speak out more loudly so that the RUU is not ratified”, he said.

Abidin, who also the chairperson of the regional leadership board of the Islamic based Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS), is inviting the public in the province with a population of around 5 million people to reject the draft law because it is not in line with the spirit and culture of Acehnese society.

“The Islamic community must reject this RUU”, said the chairperson of the Commission on Religion and Culture in the Acehnese parliament.

Abidin also said that PKS faction members at the DPR have frequently criticised the draft law in meetings with the Commission for Religion and Social Affairs.

“Now the public is also beginning to speak out against it, a petition has even been launched [on change.org]. Aceh will become a [beacon of] hope for Indonesian society which is demanding that it be protected from moral decadence”, he said.

[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Komisi VII: Aceh tolak RUU penghapusan kekerasan seksual”.]

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